‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ Heading For The Stage

EXCLUSIVE: Pan’s Labyrinth is taking shape as a stage musical. The 2006 Guillermo del Toro-directed film is about a young stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer who finds refuge and terror in a fantasy world in 1944 Fascist Spain. The stage version already has a book that has been written by del Toro and Jeremy Ungar. Paul Williams has just been signed to write the lyrics. Gustavo Santaolalla, who twice won Oscars for composing the scores for Brokeback Mountain and Babel, is writing the music. Robert Fox is producing with del Toro and Gary Ungar.

Del Toro has been working quietly on this for four years, interviewing directors, librettists and composers. Del Toro, Williams and Santaolalla are also working on songs for the animated Reel FX film Day Of The Dead, which is in advanced stages of production.

“I admire and love Gustavo and Paul wrote the perfect album in Phantom Of The Paradise, which I have loved for decades,” said del Toro, who just wrapped Pacific Rim for Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros and who’ll next direct the haunted house tale Crimson Peak for Legendary.

Said Santaolalla: “I’m so excited about translating Guillermo’s magical vision into music and songs. I’m such a longtime fan of both Guillermo and Paul that to work on this with them is truly a dream come true.”

Fox, the London-based producer whose credits include everything from The Boy From Oz, The Pillowman, Frost/Nixon to Burn This and Gypsy, has set as general managers Bespoke Theatrical’s Nina Lannan and Maggie Brohn.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Guillermo and the terrific creative team that we have put together to bring the wonderful film of Pan’s Labyrinth to the stage as a musical,” Fox said.